• 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 16.1 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 25,600
  • 35mm 849.7mm2
  • 61.0 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 32,000

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Differences

Olympus E-PL9 advantages over Sony A7R IV

  • Lens selection
    Excellent vs Good
    Better lens selection gives you more options
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Thinner
    39 mm vs 77 mm
    Thinner
  • Has anti-aliasing filter
    Filter vs No Filter
    Reduces unsightly moiré in photos
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    Unlimited vs 70 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    8.6 fps vs 7.2 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
  • Faster shutter
    1/16000 vs 1/8000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

Sony A7R IV advantages over Olympus E-PL9

  • Larger sensor
    35mm vs 4/3
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • High resolution composite
    Yes vs No
    Combine multiple shots to form a super hi-res version
  • NFC
    Yes vs No
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Longer video battery life
    105 vs 80 minutes
    Capture more video
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Yes vs No
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 670 vs 350 shots
    Capture more photos
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • More dots on screen
    1440k vs 1037k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • More pixels
    61.0 vs 16.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Dual card slots
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Yes vs No
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Lacks anti-aliasing filter
    No Filter vs Filter
    Enjoy sharper photos
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    10.0 fps vs 8.6 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger RAW buffer
    32 vs 14 shots
    Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
  • Higher extended ISO
    102400 vs 25600 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Focus peaking
    Both provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Both provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Shoot 4K video
    Both provide
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • Touchscreen
    Both provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Tiltable Screen
    Both provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Both provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Both provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Hot shoe
    Both provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Bulb shutter
    Both provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Slow-motion videos
    Both provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

Common Weaknesses

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • Top deck display
    Neither provide
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera

User reviews

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Review Excerpt

  • Outstanding image quality; Excellent high ISOs; Fast AF performance with Eye-AF tracking; 10fps bursts at full-resolution; Improved ergonomics; Dual UHS-II card slots; Higher-res EVF.

  • Expensive; No 4Kp60; Buffer clearing could be faster; Menus are still frustrating; Touchscreen underutilized; No built-in flash.

  • Read our Sony A7R IV Review

The Competition

Compared to Panasonic GX85

Olympus E-PL9
Panasonic GX85
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • Built-in Bluetooth
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $598
  • 4/3
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Lacks anti-aliasing filter

Compare Olympus E-PL9 vs Panasonic GX85

Sony A7R IV
Panasonic GX85
  • $3220
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • High resolution composite
  • $598
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive

Compare Sony A7R IV vs Panasonic GX85

Compared to Olympus E-PL8

Olympus E-PL9
Olympus E-PL8
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • Shoot 4K video
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $599
  • 4/3

Compare Olympus E-PL9 vs Olympus E-PL8

Sony A7R IV
Olympus E-PL8
  • $3220
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $599
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Thinner

Compare Sony A7R IV vs Olympus E-PL8

Compared to Olympus E-PL10

Olympus E-PL9
Olympus E-PL10
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • $549
  • 4/3
  • Newer

Compare Olympus E-PL9 vs Olympus E-PL10

Sony A7R IV
Olympus E-PL10
  • $3220
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $549
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive

Compare Sony A7R IV vs Olympus E-PL10

Compared to Canon R5

Olympus E-PL9
Canon R5
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Internal flash
  • $3349
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Olympus E-PL9 vs Canon R5

Sony A7R IV
Canon R5
  • $3220
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • High resolution composite
  • $3349
  • 35mm
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Sony A7R IV vs Canon R5

Compared to Nikon Z7 II

Olympus E-PL9
Nikon Z7 II
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • In-camera panoramas
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $2330
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Olympus E-PL9 vs Nikon Z7 II

Sony A7R IV
Nikon Z7 II
  • $3220
  • 35mm
  • High resolution composite
  • NFC
  • $2330
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Sony A7R IV vs Nikon Z7 II

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